JP2012022444A - Information processing apparatus, page description method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase efficiency of processing of handling objects provided to a plurality of pages in common.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus calculates a parameter, generated by putting together a group parameter and an individual parameter, for each of the objects from page description information in which a plurality of pieces of object information are described, a group parameter applied to a group that an object provided to the plurality of pages in common belongs to and an individual parameter applied to the object being defined in object information. Further, the information processing apparatus generates common information in which the calculated parameter is defined, and also generates page description information for referring to common information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a page description method, and a program.

  In a variable data printing (VDP) document, a fixed part and a variable part are configured separately, and data in the variable part is supplied from a data source. In variable printing, data source digits (fields) are associated with variable parts of a template document and applied to each data source line (record), thereby printing different contents for each record. Here, a collection of logical information such as page layout and data source necessary for VDP is referred to as a VDP document, and electronic data of the VDP document is referred to as VDP data. An application or system that creates VDP data is called a VDP data generation system, and an application or system that interprets VDP data and outputs it on a digital printer is called a VDP data processing system.

  For VDP data, a PDP (Page Description Language) dedicated to VDP is often used. This is because, in the PDL dedicated to VDP, it is possible to describe in advance that an object of the fixed part of the VDP document (hereinafter referred to as a fixed object as appropriate) and refer to the fixed object later. When such a PDL is printed by the VDP data processing system, it is only necessary to hold the interpretation processing result of each fixed object and copy the interpretation processing result each time it is referenced. By doing so, it can be expected that the processing of the entire VDP data is accelerated. That is, the VDP-dedicated PDL has the ability to express a VDP document that is efficient for the VDP data processing system.

However, since the VDP data processing system generally processes the VDP data generated by the VDP data generation system in accordance with the specifications of the PDL, the processing efficiency depends on the description contents of the VDP data. Therefore, it is important to create VDP data that can execute efficient processing in the VDP data processing system. However, the VDP data generation system does not necessarily provide VDP data that can execute efficient processing in the VDP data processing system. It is not always generated.
To solve the above problem, a method has been proposed in which the cost of drawing processing of individual objects is calculated in advance, and if the next drawing cost is high, the object is set as a fixed object, and if low, PPML data is newly generated as a variable object. (For example, Patent Document 1). Here, PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) is an XML-based PDL dedicated to VDP, formulated by an industry organization (PODi) that promotes digital printing.

Also, a method for converting VDP data created as a PDF into a PPML template format has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). The PPML template is also a PDL formulated by PODi. The PPML template can have a PPML template and a data source therein, and a processing system corresponding to the PPML template can generate PPML data using these.
Further, a method has been proposed in which PPML is assumed as VDP data, and a plurality of object data is collected into one PostScript data, thereby reducing the processing overhead of the object data (for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2007-072674 A JP 2005-166050 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-210395

  However, the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3 cannot achieve optimization in consideration of the relationship between a plurality of objects. The method described in Patent Document 2 requires a processing system corresponding to the PPML template, but there is a problem that the processing system corresponding to the PPML template is not so popular.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to further improve the efficiency of processing for handling an object provided in common on a plurality of pages.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of pieces of object information in which group parameters applied to a group to which objects provided in common on a plurality of pages belong and individual parameters applied to the objects are defined. From the described page description information, a calculation unit that calculates, for each object, a parameter that combines the group parameter and the individual parameter, and common information that defines the parameter calculated by the calculation unit is generated, and the common information Generating means for generating page description information for referring to.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to further increase the efficiency of processing for handling an object provided in common for a plurality of pages.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the VDP data which concerns on a VDP document. It is a figure which shows various parameters notionally. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the drawing description of PPML. It is a figure which shows an example of an OBJECT tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that a parameter is applied to an object. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion to an independent OBJECT tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a MARK tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that a parameter is applied to an object. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the parameter after conversion, and the parameter before conversion. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion to an independent OBJECT tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a MARK tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that a parameter is applied to an object. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the parameter after conversion, and the parameter before conversion. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion to an independent OBJECT tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a MARK tag. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that a parameter is applied to an object. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the parameter after conversion, and the parameter before conversion. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a conversion output process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a PPML script output process. It is a figure which shows the example which schematized the process by a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of a PPML script. It is a figure which shows an example of a PPML script.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of VDP data related to a variable print document (VDP document). A VDP document has a plurality of objects (such as drawing objects) regardless of whether they are fixed (or variable) on one page. If there is an object (referred to as a fixed object) that is referred to on each page in the same combination every time, if the interpretation processing results are held separately, a composition process is required for each reference, so the processing efficiency Is not good. Thus, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of such fixed objects are included in one page, a configuration is adopted in which each object is not separate but can hold the interpretation processing result in a combined state. . First, it demonstrates in detail using FIG. 1 (a), (b).

  FIG. 1A shows an example of the contents of VDP data. The first page includes fixed objects R-1, R-2, R-3, and a variable object V-1, and the second page includes fixed objects R-1, R-2, R-3, and variable. It consists of object V-2. When processing such VDP data, the information processing apparatus (computer) holds the interpretation processing results of R-1, R-2, and R-3 separately, so when creating the first page and 2 The R-1, R-2, and R-3 composition processing is performed both when creating the page. That is, when processing this VDP data, the information processing apparatus needs to perform R-1, R-2, and R-3 combining processing twice.

FIG. 1B shows an example of the contents of VDP data different from the VDP data shown in FIG. The final drawing result is the same as that shown in FIG. 1A, but in the VDP data shown in FIG. 1B, fixed objects R-1, R-2, and R-3 are synthesized. It is defined as a state fixed object R-1 ′. In this case, since the information processing apparatus holds the interpretation result in the state of the fixed object R-1 ′, it is not necessary to combine fixed objects between the processing of the first page and the processing of the second page. Compared to the case of 1 (a), an improvement in the processing speed of one synthesis process can be expected.
Therefore, by converting the VDP data shown in FIG. 1A to the VDP data shown in FIG. 1B, it is possible to increase the efficiency of processing related to the VDP data without modifying the VDP data processing system. At this time, it is necessary to pay attention so that the drawing result does not change before and after the conversion. In the following, based on the above considerations, a method for optimizing VDP data (page description method) realized by combining individually defined objects and defining (or redefining) them as new objects will be described. This will be specifically described.

Here, in order to define individually defined objects as new objects in a combined state, first, the individual objects to be combined are combined into one group object. Next, the group object is defined as a new object. In actual optimization, rewriting of VDP data for realizing the above may be performed in accordance with the description method of PDL, or new VDP data for realizing the above may be generated. .
In addition, each object in the VDP data is generally set with a parameter (hereinafter referred to as a parameter) representing an arrangement position of the object on the page, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, clipping region, and the like. .
Here, the parameters are (1) individually set for each object, (2) set for a plurality of objects using the grouping function, and (3) both of them. May be set at the same time. How the setting is made differs depending on the PDL expressing the VDP data, but considering the case (3), the cases (1) and (2) are considered. Reference is made to PDL capable of 3). Hereinafter, parameters individually set (applied) to each object are referred to as individual parameters, and parameters set to a group to which the object belongs are referred to as group parameters.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment generates a new individual parameter by calculation from the individual parameter and the group parameter for each object to be combined so that the drawing result does not change before and after optimization. The new individual parameter is a composite value of the original individual parameter and the original group parameter. Then, the information processing apparatus sets the generated object group to which the new individual parameter is set as one group object having no group parameter, and defines this as a new object.
FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing individual parameters, group parameters, and new individual parameters. FIG. 2A shows an example of the structure of VDP data before optimization. Individual parameters are set for each object, and group parameters are also set for a group of objects. FIG. 2B shows an example of the structure of the optimized VDP data. A new individual parameter is set for each object, but no group parameter is set for the group of objects. The new individual parameter after optimization is a composite value of the individual parameter and the group parameter before optimization as shown in FIG.

In the following, an explanation will be given by taking as an example that the information processing apparatus performs optimization of PPML data (PPML script) based on PPML which is an example of a page description language.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus. The CPU 301 controls the entire information processing apparatus according to a control program stored in the RAM 302. A RAM 302 is an example of an internal storage unit, and stores information processing device control programs executed by the CPU 301 and data such as document images. A network interface (I / F) 303 transmits and receives data and the like by connecting to a network under the control of the CPU 301. The external storage device 304 is a magnetic disk or the like and stores various data. The display 305 is an example of a display device, and the keyboard 306 and a pointing device 307 such as a mouse are examples of an input device.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 301 performs processing according to the procedure of the program stored in the RAM 302, thereby realizing functions in the information processing apparatus and processing according to flowcharts described later. For example, an application (control unit) is activated by the above processing, and the application reads / writes the contents of data temporarily stored in the RAM 302 and reads / writes data on the external storage device 304. Further, for example, the application transmits and receives data through the network interface 303, receives input from the keyboard 306 and the pointing device 307, and displays the data on the display 305.
Note that the application uses an OS (Operating System) function as necessary when performing a predetermined operation.

Next, PPML will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawing description in PPML.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in a page in PPML, a group of drawings is represented by a MARK tag (an example of object information). Each MARK tag defines parameters representing an arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, cutout area, and the like applied to the entire drawing contents belonging to each MARK tag. The MARK tag has three configuration patterns (1) to (3) as shown in FIG. 4B. Note that one or a plurality of MARK tags are described for each page in a page in PPML.
FIG. 4B (1) shows a pattern in which one or more OBJECT tags exist under the MARK tag. The OBJECT tag represents one object. As shown in FIG. 4C, the OBJECT tag has parameters representing the object arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, cutout region, and the like represented by the OBJECT tag.

FIG. 4B (2) shows a pattern in which an OCCURRENCE_REF tag exists under the MARK tag. In the OCCURRENCE_REF tag, as shown in FIG. 4D, it can be described that a group of objects defined in advance by the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag (common information) is referred to. This makes it possible to express object definitions and references in PPML. A REUSABLE_OBJECT tag can have one or more OBJECT tags under it. The REUSABLE_OBJECT tag has parameters representing an arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, cutout area, and the like applied to all of one or more OBJECT tags belonging to the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.
FIG. 4B (3) shows a pattern in which a SEGMENT_REF tag exists under the MARK tag. In the SEGMENT_REF tag, as shown in FIG. 4E, it can be described that an object defined in advance by the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag is referred to. Thus, the definition and reference of an object can be expressed in PPML. The SEGMENT_ARRAY tag does not have an OBJECT tag under it, and the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag itself represents a single object. The SEGMENT_ARRAY tag has parameters representing an arrangement position applied to the object represented by the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, cutout region, and the like.

  Next, object processing in the PPML data processing system (this information processing apparatus or another computer may be used) will be described. When the PPML data processing system detects a REUSABLE_OBJECT tag or a SEGMENT_ARRAY tag, it saves the result of the analysis processing of the object represented by those tags as an object. Then, each time a portion referred to by the MARK tag is detected with the patterns (2) and (3) in FIG. 4B, a corresponding object is drawn. As described above, the PPML data processing system normally handles objects in units of MARK tags described in a PPML script which is an example of page description information.

Based on the above, it is conceived that a plurality of objects represented by a plurality of MARK tags are represented by PPML as one object. Therefore, consider converting a plurality of MARK tags shown in (1) of FIG. 4 (f) into a single MARK tag having an OCCURRENCE_REF tag shown in (2) of FIG. 4 (f) and a REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.
Here, in PPML, a REUSABLE_OBJECT tag can have one or more OBJECT tags, so if each MARK tag is converted to one or more OBJECT tags, a single REUSABLE_OBJECT tag can be created. .
Therefore, a method for converting the configuration pattern of each MARK tag shown in (1) to (3) of FIG. 4B into one or more OBJECT tags will be described. First, the OBJECT tag will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an OBJECT tag, and is a diagram showing a general form of one OBJECT tag in an actual PPML script. Each symbol in FIG. 5 is a parameter representing an object arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, clipping region, and the like, and the contents thereof are shown below.

C (S): Cutout area for the object specified by the SOURCE tag.
T (OV): A transformation matrix applied to the object after it has been cut by C (S).
C (OV): A cut-out area for an object converted by T (OV).
T (OP): A transformation matrix for determining the origin position of the object. Only translation is possible.

  For one object represented by the OBJECT tag, conversion and clipping are executed in the order of C (S), T (OV), C (OV), and T (OP). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of how these parameters are applied to an object.

  Next, a method of converting the configuration pattern of the MARK tag shown in (1) of FIG. 4B into one or more OBJECT tags will be described. In this embodiment, for example, each OBJECT tag in the MARK tag shown in (1) of FIG. 7 ((1) of FIG. 4B) is changed to an independent OBJECT tag shown in (2) of FIG. Each is converted. An independent OBJECT tag means an OBJECT tag that does not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the MARK tag, and is a diagram showing a general form of the MARK tag having the configuration pattern of (1) in FIG. 4B in an actual PPML script. It should be noted that the first OBJECT tag in the MARK tag can be converted into one independent OBJECT tag that does not depend on the MARK parameter, and the explanation is omitted because the same applies to the second and subsequent OBJECT tags. is doing. Each symbol in FIG. 8 is a parameter representing an object arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, clipping region, and the like, and the contents thereof are shown below.

Ca (S): A cut-out area for an object specified by a SOURCE tag.
Ta (OV): A transformation matrix applied to an object after being cut out with Ca (S).
Ca (OV): A cutout area for an object converted with Ta (OV).
Ta (OP): A transformation matrix for determining the origin position of the object. Only translation is possible.
Ta (MV): A transformation matrix applied to all OBJECT tags included in the MARK tag.
Ca (MV): A cut-out area for all OBJECT tags included in the MARK tag.
Ta (MP): A conversion matrix for determining the origin position of the entire MARK tag. Only translation is possible.

One object represented by the OBJECT tag is converted in the order of Ca (S), Ta (OV), Ca (OV), Ta (OP), Ta (MV), Ca (MV), and Ta (MP). And clippings are applied. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of how these parameters are applied to an object. In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus obtains each parameter in FIG. 5 from these parameters.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between each parameter in FIG. 5 (post-conversion parameter) and each parameter in FIG. 8 (pre-conversion parameter). As shown in FIG. 10, there are four possible patterns of correspondence between each parameter after conversion and each parameter before conversion. The conversion formula for each pattern is as follows.

<Pattern (a-1)>
C (S) = Ca (S)
T (OV) = Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV)
C (OV) = Ca (MV) and Ca (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) common part T (OP) = Ta (MP)

<Pattern (a-2)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV)
C (OV) = Ca (MV) and Ca (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) and Ca (S) × Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) common part T ( OP) = Ta (MP)

<Pattern (a-3)>
C (S) = Ca (S)
T (OV) = Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) × Ta (MP)
C (OV) = Ca (MV) × Ta (MP) and Ca (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) × Ta (MP) common part T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

<Pattern (a-4)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) × Ta (MP)
C (OV) = Ca (MV) × Ta (MP) and Ca (OV) × Ta (OP) × Ta (MV) × Ta (MP) × Ca (S) × Ta (OV) × Ta (OP) × Common part with Ta (MV) × Ta (MP) T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus calculates a new parameter for each object using any one of the above-described pattern calculation formulas (a conversion formula for the OBJECT tag). Accordingly, the MARK tag having the configuration pattern (1) in FIG. 4B can be converted into one or more OBJECT tags that do not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag.

Next, a method of converting the MARK tag configuration pattern shown in (2) of FIG. 4B into one or more OBJECT tags will be described. In the present embodiment, for example, each OBJECT tag in the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag shown in FIG. 11A (FIG. 4D) is converted into an independent OBJECT tag shown in FIG. . The independent OBJECT tag means an OBJECT tag that does not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag, OCCURRENCE_REF tag, and REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the MARK tag, and is a diagram showing a general form of the MARK tag having the configuration pattern (2) in FIG. 4B in an actual PPML script. Each symbol in FIG. 12 is a parameter that represents an object arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, clipping region, and the like, and the contents thereof are shown below.

Cb (S): Cutout area for an object specified by a SOURCE tag.
Tb (OV): A transformation matrix applied to the object after it has been cut with Cb (S).
Cb (OV): A cut-out area for an object converted by Tb (OV).
Tb (OP): a transformation matrix for determining the origin position of the object. Only translation is possible.
Tb (RV): A transformation matrix applied to all OBJECT tags included in the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.
Cb (RV): A clipping region for all OBJECT tags included in the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.
Tb (OCV): A transformation matrix applied to the OCCURRENCE tag.
Cb (OCV): Cutout area for the OCCURRENCE tag.
Tb (MP): A conversion matrix for determining the origin position of the entire MARK tag. Only translation is possible.

One object represented by the OBJECT tag is Cb (S), Tb (OV), Cb (OV), Tb (OP), Tb (RV), Cb (RV), Tb (OCV), Cb (OCV). , Conversion and clipping are applied in the order of Tb (MP). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of how these parameters are applied to an object. In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus obtains each parameter in FIG. 5 from these parameters.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between each parameter in FIG. 5 (post-conversion parameter) and each parameter in FIG. 12 (pre-conversion parameter). As shown in FIG. 14, there are four possible patterns of correspondence between each parameter after conversion and each parameter before conversion. The conversion formula for each pattern is as follows.

<Pattern (b-1)>
C (S) = Cb (S)
T (OV) = Tb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV)
C (OV) = Cb (OCV), Cb (RV) × Tb (OCV) and Cb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) common part T (OP) = Tb ( MP)

<Pattern (b-2)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Tb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV)
C (OV) = Cb (OCV) and Cb (RV) × Tb (OCV) and Cb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) and Cb (S) × Tb (OV) × Common part T (OP) = Tb (MP) with Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV)

<Pattern (b-3)>
C (S) = Cb (S)
T (OV) = Tb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP)
C (OV) = Cb (OCV) × Tb (MP) and Cb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP) and Cb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Common part with Tb (MP) T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

<Pattern (b-4)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Tb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP)
C (OV) = Cb (OCV) × Tb (MP) and Cb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP) and Cb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP) and Cb (S) × Tb (OV) × Tb (OP) × Tb (RV) × Tb (OCV) × Tb (MP) common part T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus calculates a new parameter for each object using any one of the above-described pattern calculation formulas (conversion formula for OCCURRENCE_REF tag). Accordingly, the MARK tag having the configuration pattern (2) in FIG. 4B can be converted into one or more OBJECT tags that do not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag, the OCCURRENCE_REF tag, and the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.

Next, a method for converting the configuration pattern of the MARK tag shown in (3) of FIG. 4B to an OBJECT tag will be described. In the present embodiment, for example, the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag shown in FIG. 15 (a) (FIG. 4 (e)) is converted into an independent OBJECT tag shown in FIG. 15 (b). The independent OBJECT tag means an OBJECT tag that does not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag and the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the MARK tag, and is a diagram illustrating a general form of the MARK tag having the configuration pattern (3) in FIG. 4B in an actual PPML script. Each symbol in FIG. 16 is a parameter representing an object arrangement position, enlargement / reduction, rotation, distortion, clipping region, and the like, and the contents thereof are shown below.

Cc (S): Cutout area for the object specified by the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag.
Tc (SV): A transformation matrix applied to the object after being cut with Cc (S).
Cc (SV): A cutout area for an object converted by Tc (SV).
Tc (MP): A conversion matrix for determining the origin position of the entire MARK tag. Only translation is possible.

For one object represented by the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag, conversion and clipping are applied in the order of Cc (S), Tc (SV), Cc (SV), and Tc (MP). FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of how these parameters are applied to an object. In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus obtains each parameter in FIG. 5 from these parameters.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between each parameter in FIG. 5 (post-conversion parameter) and each parameter in FIG. 16 (pre-conversion parameter). As shown in FIG. 18, there are four possible patterns of correspondence between each parameter after conversion and each parameter before conversion. The conversion formula for each pattern is as follows.

<Pattern (c-1)>
C (S) = Cc (S)
T (OV) = Tc (SV)
C (OV) = Cc (SV)
T (OP) = Tc (MP)

<Pattern (c-2)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Tc (SV)
Common part of C (OV) = Cc (SV) and Cc (S) × Tc (SV) T (OP) = Tc (MP)

<Pattern (c-3)>
C (S) = Cc (S)
T (OV) = Tc (SV) × Tc (MP)
C (OV) = Cc (SV) × Tc (MP)
T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

<Pattern (c-4)>
C (S) = (no cutout area)
T (OV) = Tc (SV) × Tc (MP)
C (OV) = Cc (SV) × Tc (MP) and Cc (S) × Tc (SV) × Tc (MP) common part T (OP) = (identity transformation matrix)

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus calculates a new parameter for each object using any one of the above-described pattern calculation formulas (conversion formula for the SEGMENT_REF tag). Accordingly, the MARK tag having the configuration pattern (3) in FIG. 4B can be converted into one OBJECT tag that does not depend on the parameters of the MARK tag and the SEGMENT_ARRAY tag.
In this way, the information processing apparatus converts the MARK tag into one or more OBJECT tags for all the configuration patterns of the MARK tag using the above-described calculation formula. Then, the information processing apparatus creates a REUSABLE_OBJECT tag in which one or more converted OBJECT tags are collected. Then, the information processing apparatus defines one REUSABLE_OBJECT tag, that is, a new object from one or more MARK tags.
In the present embodiment, T (OV), which is an example of a conversion parameter for executing at least one of enlargement / reduction, rotation, translation, and distortion of an object, and a clipping parameter for executing object clipping As an example, C (OV) is calculated. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and any one of T (OV) and C (OV) may be calculated.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to processing (conversion output processing) for outputting a PPML script in which one or more MARK tags in the PPML script are converted into one MARK tag. In addition, the flowchart of this application is implement | achieved when CPU301 reads the program relevant to a process from memory, and performs it.
First, the control unit of the information processing apparatus extracts a MARK tag to be converted from the PPML script (S2401). As an extraction method, any method such as inquiring a user every time a MARK tag is detected can be employed. Subsequently, the control unit acquires one MARK tag to be converted (S2402), and determines the structure below the MARK tag (S2403). That is, the control unit performs the determination by examining the child element tag of the MARK tag. More specifically, when it is determined that an OBJECT tag exists in the child element tag, the control unit determines that “pattern (a): OBJECT”. Further, when the control unit determines that the OCCURRENCE_REF tag is present in the child element tag, the control unit determines that the pattern is “pattern (b): OCCURRENCE_REF”. Further, when the control unit determines that the SEGMENT_REF tag is present in the child element tag, the control unit determines that the pattern is “pattern (c): SEGMENT_REF”.

  Subsequently, the control unit converts the MARK tag into one or more OBJECT tags according to the above-described calculation formula according to the structure pattern below each MARK tag (S2404, S2405, S2406). Subsequently, the control unit saves the script of one or more converted OBJECT tags in the RAM 302 (S2407), and determines whether there are other MARK tags to be converted (S2408). At this time, when it is determined that there is another MARK tag to be converted, the control unit performs the process of S2402, and when it is determined that there is no other MARK tag to be converted, the control unit performs the process of S2409. . In step S <b> 2409, the control unit retrieves one or more OBJECT tag scripts saved from the RAM 302, and outputs a PPML script that summarizes the retrieved OBJECT tag scripts.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the processing of S2409 in FIG. 19 (PPML script output processing after conversion).
First, the control unit creates a script in which one or more OBJECT tag scripts extracted from the RAM 302 are combined into one REUSABLE_OBJECT tag (S2501). Subsequently, the control unit creates a MARK tag script that refers to the created REUSABLE_OBJECT tag (S2502), and outputs the created script to the designated output destination (S2503).
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process performed by the control unit illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. One or more MARK tags to be converted are converted into one or more OBJECT tags by the processing from S2401 to S2408, and stored in the RAM 302 as a script. In step S2409, a converted MARK tag in which converted OBJECT tag scripts are collected is created.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PPML script. The PPML script represents the VDP data shown in FIG. In the PPML script, R-1, R-2, R-3, V-1, and V-2 in FIG. 1A are represented by MARK tags. As for the fixed object, R-1 is a MARK tag having the configuration pattern (2) in FIG. 4B, R-2 is a MARK tag having the configuration pattern (3) in FIG. 4B, and R-3 is a diagram. 4 (b) is represented by a MARK tag having the configuration pattern (1).
In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus converts the PPML script of FIG. 22 into a PPML script that defines the fixed objects R-1, R-2, and R-3 as one fixed object. First, the information processing apparatus adopts, for example, the pattern b-1 in FIG. 14 as the correspondence between each parameter before conversion and after conversion for R-1, and uses a calculation formula corresponding thereto to convert the parameter after conversion. Each parameter is calculated and converted to an OBJECT tag. This corresponds to the processing of S2405 in the flowchart of FIG. Similarly, the information processing apparatus adopts, for example, the pattern c-1 of FIG. 18 for R-2, calculates each converted parameter using a calculation formula corresponding to this, and converts it to an OBJECT tag. This corresponds to the processing of S2406 in the flowchart of FIG. Similarly, the information processing apparatus adopts, for example, the pattern a-1 in FIG. 10 for R-3, calculates each parameter after conversion using a corresponding calculation formula, and converts it to an OBJECT tag. To do. This corresponds to the processing of S2404 in the flowchart of FIG.
The information processing apparatus converts the three OBJECT tags obtained in this way into a target PPML script by defining them as one new object by combining them with the REUSABLE_OBJECT tag by the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. To do. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the PPML script after the PPML script illustrated in FIG. 22 is converted.

  According to the present embodiment, a plurality of objects can be collectively defined as one new object. By using this, applications such as reusing the background objects as a whole or reusing all the objects on the page as a whole become possible. Also, since a plurality of objects are originally expressed together, there are cases where the redundancy of VDP data can be reduced and the data size can be reduced. When the data size can be reduced, the transfer time of VDP data to the VDP data processing system can be reduced. Further, regarding the processing speed of the VDP data processing system, since the VDP data redundancy is reduced, the parsing time, the processing required for the synthesis of individual objects, the access amount of each retained object, etc. are reduced. Can be expected.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to further increase the efficiency of processing for handling an object provided in common for a plurality of pages.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

Claims (10)

From the page description information in which a plurality of object information in which a group parameter applied to a group to which an object provided in common in a plurality of pages belongs and an individual parameter applied to the object is described, the group parameter Calculating means for calculating for each object a parameter obtained by combining the individual parameter and
Generating common information defining the parameters calculated by the calculating means, generating page description information referring to the common information;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The calculation means includes a conversion parameter for executing at least one of enlargement / reduction of an object, rotation of an object, translation of an object, and distortion of an object as a parameter obtained by combining the group parameter and the individual parameter. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cutout parameter for executing cutout of an object is calculated for each object. The page description information in which the plurality of object information is described is described in a page description language used in variable printing,
The generation means generates the common information and describes one object information that refers to the common information for each page, thereby changing the definition of the fixed object in the page description language. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein page description information to be referred to is generated.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the page description language is PPML.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of object information is represented by a MARK tag, and the common information is represented by a REUSABLE_OBJECT tag.   When the calculation unit determines that the MARK tag provided with the OBJECT tag is included in the page description information, the calculation unit synthesizes the group parameter and the individual parameter according to a predetermined conversion formula for the OBJECT tag. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the calculated parameter is calculated.   When the calculation unit determines that a MARK tag having an OCCURRENCE_REF tag is included in the page description information, the calculation unit combines the group parameter and the individual parameter according to a predetermined conversion formula for the OCCURRENCE_REF tag. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parameter is calculated.   When the calculation means determines that a MARK tag provided with a SEGMENT_REF tag is included in the page description information, the calculation unit synthesizes the group parameter and the individual parameter according to a predetermined conversion formula for the SEGMENT_REF tag. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parameter is calculated. From the page description information in which a plurality of object information in which a group parameter applied to a group to which an object provided in common in a plurality of pages belongs and an individual parameter applied to the object is described, the group parameter And a calculation step of calculating a parameter for each object by combining the individual parameter and the individual parameter;
Generating common information that defines the parameters calculated in the calculating step, and generating page description information that refers to the common information; and
A page description method characterized by comprising: Computer
From the page description information in which a plurality of object information in which a group parameter applied to a group to which an object provided in common in a plurality of pages belongs and an individual parameter applied to the object is described, the group parameter Calculating means for calculating for each object a parameter obtained by combining the individual parameter and
Generating common information defining the parameters calculated by the calculating means, generating page description information referring to the common information;
Program to make it work.

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